Our journey had just begun

I was in deep pain last May, feeling rejected by my first and ex-boyfriend after trying to communicate with him by calling or greeting him a Happy Birthday. I found myself in deep desperation trying to find acceptable reasons to understand him. I was lost, totally sad, and then I seriously did enormous prayer to stop my heart breaking. Well It isn't new to you that I'm sharing about my unforgettable past.

It was sometime within my moving on final days/stage someone came over to me saying
Man: Hej, My name is Ollie.. would you know what to do if your bike has just been stolen?
I turned around and looked at the owner's voice. I saw this nice looking man, with frustrations about his stolen bike, at first I thought he was sick so I answered ''Maybe you should call the police?'' then he said oh yes yeah. I was concerned and asked him the details of it but after searching with nothing, I asked him if where is his place cause he might get lost if he's new to this city. Then we figured out that we live nearby. Given so he proposed if I would like to walk with him since we have the same way. I first thought that would be nice but I was too careful with full attention thinking that maybe He's not as nice person in contrast to his outlook.  Maybe He's a jerk, I wondered why he was so friendly and so nice to me. But since it is a safe municipality, I agreed to walk along.

Along the road we talked about Denmark, life in Denmark, the people in Denmark, the rules and the common problems about bike. He had almost told me his complete identity listening to his wonderful stories in life.Told him that I'm going to travel in Rome in few days so that's what I'm looking forward at the moment. I was a bit interested when he mentioned that he's a professional artist studied at one of the most and finest arts school in this world which is located in London. I'm not a certified artist but I do like to be creative, artistic, and likes painting and playing music a lot. So that served as our common ground. We talked about our beliefs and lives and I felt like we have some same views in life. So, at the end of road we had to separate ways, told him this is my way. See you whenever I see you it was nice meeting you. Thought he'd just say goodbye and wouldn't have the interest to continue the journey but he smiled and asked if he can get my number. Keeping myself in safeness I had to ask him ''why?'' and he said ''maybe we can walk and talk again sometime because it is very nice to know you.'' with that reason I was convinced and said ''ok'' I suppose I have a new and first friend in town so I left him with words ''good that I have a new friend''.

After few days finally my dream came true. I prayed in all churches, visited and wished a lot about everybody and ofcourse for myself. The movie When In Rome was actually late for me, I never knew that saying about the famous fountain before I come there. But I'm linking this to attest myself or to have my own testimonial about the magical and holy city. And I got the chance to throw my wishes in this mystical fountain. They say if you throw a coin here, you will meet the love of your life.

After few weeks I heard a good news about my friend which I really included in my wishes. And then after a month and a half, Oliver and I started our good friendship that lead us to loving and committing ourselves to each other. We are always looking forward to do a lot of things together as great friends/ good partners. I couldn't express myself enough in writing how happy I am to have him in my life.

From crying in pain he turned it around, now I'm overwhelmed with tears of joy.. I'm just wondering, what if I didn't lose my first love? What if I didn't let go of my past? What if he didn't lose his favorite bicycle and had the courage to know me? What if I was too hard to him at first? What if we didn't gave us a chance? What if we missed that very rare opportunity? What if we didn't surrender our past? I'm glad we have each other.

Dear Father,

Lord, help us remember that our love for each other reflects your love for us.

May we empower one another to fulfill our purpose in life.

May our experience as a couple give us a preview of the oneness we will experience someday.

Help us to see that everything is either love or a call for love.

Help us to celebrate our similarities and honor our differences.

Help us to accept our limitations and utilize our talents.

Thank you for this opportunity, this life, and for my loving partner.

Amen.

You served well 21st year, thank you.

New age, new year, new me.

Ten more days to go and I'll say goodbye to my 21st age I'll get to be 22 on Dec. 7 and since the Catholic liturgical year has ended last Sunday, I want to share my gratitude as I recall the year. It's merely an early New year's day reflection.
Over the past 12 months I have received so much blessings, gone through some extraordinary experiences and life changing decisions and learning. I am glad to highlight here my most loved moments. I bind down some important areas to serve as a reminder of how God graced me with a not so wonderful but a gorgeous simple life to be always thankful for.

1. Travelled around Ilocos sur/norte
2. Baked cakes for my friends and family
3. Travelled to Bantayan and Virgin islands of Cebu
4. Helped my parents in my own capabilities
5. Has been a regular employee as an intuit web advisor in Sutherland global services from Aug 1 2011 till June 2012
6. Was able to brought joy to my customers over the phone technically or emotionally with the problems of their business.
7. Owned domain name www.thingsunderthesun.net
8. I'd packed my bags last minute of my flight to conquer Cebu for a sole (soul) retreat for 3 days. Success.
9. Able to love someone dearly
10. More honest to myself and to other's around me
11. Gifted my father and grandma a comeback vacation to their province.
12. Went abroad, travelled alone across to Europe via Qatar for the first time
13. Was able to make my friends, brothers, sisters in church to really feel my love for them  by genuinely sharing of my own gifts
14. Was able to celebrate my first boyfriend's birthday in my most sweetest surprise
15. I was able to help or at least comfort a needy friend
16. I was able to help my grandma and mama
17. Has been one of the judges on Sto Domingo parish's annual event called ''kantahan" whereas my teenage years, I was just one of the event staffs. It is a way to celebrate the feast of Sto Domingo  De Guzman, showcasing singing talents around the vicinity of SDP, QC.
18. Been part of some sessions of Mukhaad, and i think or i hope i was able to somehow inspire some of the batch 23 participants
19. A first kiss from my boyfriend
20. Done with my most feared thrilling and crazy rides in Tivoli amusement park
21. Driven by sacrifice which defines love, I had first break up, first heart break. But it ended peacefully and divinely.
22. I'm now more concerned with my personal life and happiness not depending on other people's opinion.
23. Learned to select and trust only the people who deserved it
24. Was able to teach as a voice teacher in Yamaha Valenzuela to few kids during last summer
25. Was able to talk with my brother and cousins about my idea, visions and plans for the betterment of our condition
26. Collected most precious memories and pictures of my family-mad-moj-collegues-co-workers-special friends
27. I'm now more concerned and determined to achieve my personal growth for the better me
28. Reconciled and re-bonded with some old friends
29. More healthier, fit and courageous
30. Reclaimed myself by the help of the arts of music, painting, online live-journal, photography, and other interests.

Instead of thinking about those things I didn't have, I have lost, and what I won't have, I focused on the positive things I consider as important as they occur to me everyday. I acknowledge myself for the things I've accomplished, things I am grateful for and proud of, the positive changes I made in my life, Including some ways that I've grown as a person. 

For you who might fear that this exercise is a tad self-indulgent, remember this:  

SEEING THE GOOD IN OTHERS STARTS WITH SEEING THE GOOD IN OURSELVES.  

Have a prosperous New Year! :)

Copenhagen at night

 From the central station, Ate and I decided to just walk towards home with matching cold weather it's absolutely nice.

 I honestly don't know the significance of this monument.

The central station

Me eating chocolate rice crisps

Natural lightning

ISO 100

Using the low light setting is kinda complicated

Velkommen til mit liv vinter!

I woke up chilling beside my cousin hearing Christmas songs played on their pads. Then we remembered Christmas, New year, Birthdays and all those holiday stuffs.

Cousin1:  (ref to us) Kelangan masanay ang mga bago dito pag pasko at bagong taon. 
Cousin2: Oo nga, pero iba parin simoy ng hangin sa pinas pag ber months, pag malapit na ang Christmas.

Today, with this morning and breakfast we had, It definitely made me feel like missing a lot in Philippines.
Few minutes after I tweeted my friends and family who i badly miss. God, I miss my life in Ph but thank you so much for having me here. I couldn't imagine how time goes by so fast, My phone automatically updated its time zone last night, It changed from 6 hours now Ph is 7 hours ahead to Denmark. Hello and welcome to my life winter (Velkommen til mit liv vinter)!

It was about 4:00 PM after my church service at Lyngby, I went in to the store center which is like a mall in Philippines to have a window shopping. There was this very good and beautiful winter jacket in H&M that is on 50% sale but after grabbing it, i caught myself converting the price to peso again. Conversion is always making me feel a lil' disturbed although I know I badly need it (forgive my cleverness for now, I'll wait for my cousin's used winter jackets it don't matter to me). There's no Christmas songs, There's just a few people walking in the stores, and no people such in a hurry. At 4:30 PM the stores inside closed down their automated doors for it is time for them. And it was time for me to go home. And at just about 5pm I saw the sky so dark with the waning gibbous moonlight, a time which is something like a midnight in Ph.

I'm a little bit excited to see and feel how the Nordic people celebrates white Christmas and holidays but i feel like i will curse the painful cold weather in a matter of few weeks. The daylight is just for few hours- awful. But part of me says "just enjoy your stay" and i do.

My second week in a place called Copenhagen

Old couple dating in Tivoli

It has been almost 14 days since i left my extraordinary life in Philippines. And right now, i badly miss my life there. Not that i don't have a life here in Denmark but of course that's another story, life here is very different. My body clock is already adjusted although i often have shallow sleeps. Deep and scary dreams visit me often. I hope to enroll for their language class by next month. Most of the times i walk outside to enjoy the fresh air, the breeze, the classic life in Denmark has to offer you everyday. I've tasted a lot of their food, drinks, and culture. Smiling and happy people is everywhere. Now i understand and i can attest why Denmark has the tittle of being "World's happiest country".

I was trying to catch a dove.

In front of the City Hall

Green lights on!

 
 Let me talk about transportation. They've a very systematic daily routes. It's good and advisable to have your own bike if you want to tour around or even buy something in Netto (a famous store like mini-stop in Ph, you cannot see sari sari store type). You can go wherever you want as long as you can, bike everywhere. It's also good if you have a car, when was it no as an answer? It's very normal to see first class cars on the street. Your destination looks very near if you look at the map, but OH NO. The buses have a schedule too, so it means if you lose the 7:00 am you'll wait for another bus which will take you another 30 mins to wait. But the bus sched is the opposite of the trains. The longest time you can spend waiting for Metro train and S train could be a max of 10 mins. There are some taxi cars you can see but they're very few. The Danes really value time.

Inside the Kobenhavn Central Station

I am very much amazed how they treat their family. Unlike Filipino fathers, the Danes fathers, are much more caring. They can be in-charge to their kids everyday. Just like my Uncle Poul who can bake, he always cook, I bet he used to send Kat and Kenneth to a day care when they were kids before work. Until now, he never change. He is very sweet, caring and loving to Auntie. Here they say: Husband nor wife, everything and everyone should be equal. 

About Scenes- You know, even if tour is not your priority, It will always looks like you do. You'll always say WOW to each sides your eyes can capture not because I am new here. NO,  because Denmark is really is. A very beautiful part of the world.  

I was thinking of writing letters for everyone i love today, but it looks like I shared my amazement instead. So... Here goes my September letters.

Dear Mama,

Playing with the graduate autumn leaves

I miss you so much... I hope everything is fine.You and Papa's birthday is about to come. I wish you good health. I love you.

Dear friends,
I miss you all. Whenever we talk i laugh, and you tend to energize my veins. I hope to chat with you regularly, if you're free talk to me please... and thank you for those who continuously does that. I sincerely appreciate your virtual presence. I love you all. Take care always.

My favorite street in Gentofte

Dear Love,
Where were you last night? (Love: library) 
Me: NO you're with me in my dreams. Hahaha
I remember you everyday... I hope for your heavy loads to be lightened. Don't lose your temper when sometimes i tease you. I'll be patient.. I know you care, Thank you for your UNENDING love i guess? haha I love you...  

Dear God,
I feel your blessings everyday. My soul is thirsting for you Lord. I feel incomplete for having missed Sunday Masses for two consecutive weeks. Please bless and take care of the people i love. Send us your angels to guide us everyday. I miss all but I'll be strong because when you sent me here I know your purposes. I trust you Lord, Thank you for your love. I love you so much.

Ph-Dha-Cph

Umalis kami ng bahay ng ala una ng hapon, Sep 13, 2012 hatid ng aking pamilya sa paliparan. Hindi naging madali sa akin ang pag-alis ng bansa. Literal na nahirapan ako dahil sa sobra sa baggage allowance ang nais kong dalhin na kagamitan. Ganun pa man, nakaalis din, mahigpit ang yakap ng nanay kong naluluha sa aking final na pagpasok sa terminal. kontrolado ko ang emosyon ko. Habang nakapila at naghihintay makaalis ng eroplano, kausap ko naman sa cell phone ang special na tao sa buhay ko pabaon rin ang mga salitang ingat.  

Sa eroplano ng Qatar airways ako ay namangha dahil una, may kanya kanyang entertainer (playbook) ang bawat pasahero. Pangalawa, di ka mararamdam ng gutom o uhaw sa complimentary food and beverages na handa para sayo. Unang beses ko itong travel abroad at hindi biro ang haba ng pagupo sa eroplano. Sa gitna ng dalawang lalaki ako ay naluha bandang 2,000 miles na ang layo mula sa pilipinas. Matapos lumuha pinilit kong pigilan at punasan nalang ang luha ko ngunit niyakap ng braso ko ang aking mga mata at tuluyan nang humagulgol na nagtagal ng 5 minuto, mabuti nalang madilim ang eroplano at may kanya kanyang headphone. Naalala ko ang nanay ko, ang mahal ko, ang pamilya ko, ang mukhaad friends ko, ang moj, at ang busy kong buhay sa pilipinas. Sa awa ng Diyos nakarating ako sa Qatar ng maayos. Sa airport ng Qatar ako naghintay ng sampung oras para sa eroplano papuntang copenhagen. Sa paghihintay nakilala ko ang 1 pamilya na Iranians, nagusap kami at nagstay ako sa kanila ng ilang oras hanggang sila ay makalipad. 

Nilibang ko ang aking sarili sa duty free, nagpicture, nagantay ng umaga para sa final na destinasyon. 

Mula Doha, lumipad ako ng 7 oras papuntang copenhagen at duon, sinalubong ako sa airport ng aking pinsan. Namangha agad ako sa metro train ng denmark na walang nagmamaniubra. Lamig rin ang sumalubong sa akin pagtapak ng aking mga paa sa labas ng paliparan. Sa wakas narating ko ang denmark ng Alas 4 ng hapon sep 14, 2012. 

Nagpahinga at naglakad ng 20 mins sa labas, kumain ng kanin at natikman ang napakasarap na luto ni uncle poul. Matapos nun, nagantay sa ibang pinsan na nagluto ng Tinola. Uminom sila matapos ng dinner at ako nagdecide na matulog at magpahinga. Napagod ako sa higit isang araw na byahe ko, ngunit marami akong natutunan. 

Ngayong ikalawang araw ko, nagpunta ako sa bahay ng mga pinsan ko, first time ko makakita ng apple tree, kumain ng fresh apple tree na makikita mo lang kung saan saan. kumain naman kami ng Calderetang napakasap luto ng kanilang kaibigan. Ngayon ay hotdog. Ang daming pagkain... tataba ako rito. 

Sa kabilang mundo, ang mga mahal ko sa buhay ay binabagyo nanaman, malakas ang ulan at muntik nanaman daw bumaha.. nagaalala na ako.. Panginoon, panatilihin nyo po silang nasa mabuting kalagayan. ingatan nyo po sila. Maraming salamat po sa lakas. Alas dose na pala sa pilipinas kaya ako inaantok.  Ciao!